Embracing Trust: Letting Go of the Need for Certainty

"Arjun, I found our interaction insightful, but I would like to have a detailed understanding of what will happen in our sessions before I commit to a 3-month engagement," said someone who approached me for coaching.

I sensed his difficulty in taking a leap of faith with the limited information he had. He needed more evidence and certainty.

Interestingly, this was one of the patterns he wanted to work on during coaching—to be able to let go of control and relax. The relaxation he seeks can only come from having deeper trust—in himself, in others, and in the universe.

Many of us wait for certainty or safety before we trust. Only a few can trust while accepting risk.

To the extent you are afraid of failing or making a mistake, you will find it hard to trust something in the absence of evidence. This can lead to playing it safe or getting stuck in analysis paralysis.

Three Levels of Trust

1. I Trust Because There is Rationale/Evidence That I Will Not Fail At this level, trust is built on concrete evidence and logical reasoning. We rely on past experiences, data, and tangible proof to assure ourselves that our efforts will succeed. This form of trust provides a safety net and helps us feel secure in our decisions.

? ?Example: Consider a project manager who trusts their team because of their proven track record. The manager has seen their team deliver exceptional results time and again, which builds a solid foundation of trust based on evidence.

2. I Trust Because I Am Not Afraid to Fail Here, trust transcends the need for certainty. It’s about embracing the possibility of failure without fear. When we reach this level, we understand that failure is part of the journey and a valuable learning experience. This mindset encourages resilience and fosters a growth-oriented approach.

? ?Example: Think of an entrepreneur launching a new startup. Despite the inherent risks, they trust their vision and ability to adapt. They are prepared for setbacks and view them as opportunities to learn and improve, rather than reasons to give up.

3. I Trust Because It Lets Me Explore, and the Only Failure is Not to Explore This is the highest level of trust, where the focus shifts entirely to exploration and discovery. At this stage, trust becomes a catalyst for innovation and creativity. The fear of failure diminishes, and the joy of exploration takes center stage. The true failure here is the failure to explore and push boundaries.

? ?Example: Imagine an artist who trusts their creative process, irrespective of the outcome. They experiment with new techniques and mediums, not concerned with whether each piece will be a masterpiece. For them, the act of creation and exploration is the ultimate success.

Embrace Uncertainty

The next time you face a decision, ask yourself: Are you willing to trust because you're ready to accept the risk? Embrace the uncertainty, and you might find that the real growth and fulfillment lie beyond safety and certainty.

To the extent you are free from the fear of making a mistake or failing, you can be creative and make bold decisions. You become much more spontaneous.

Interestingly, the areas where you fear failure or mistakes the most are often the decisions that need you to trust in the absence of evidence.

Reflect on This

1. Are you naturally inclined towards trust or caution?

2. Where in your life do you find it easy to trust without obsessing about evidence, and where are you avoiding action or decision because of fear?

Reflect on these questions to identify areas where fear is holding you back and where you can embrace trust to move forward boldly.

If you are committed to exploring these concepts and seeking deeper transformation, I am here to support you. You can schedule a free introductory call to discuss this further.

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